Jo Gaines has been appointed as GESB’s new Board Chair for a five-year term expiring on 18 October 2026.

Ms Gaines replaces John Langoulant AO who served on the GESB Board for more than 10 years. Mr Langoulant departs to take up tenure as Western Australia’s Agent General in London.

Ms Gaines has extensive experience as an organisational leader and strategic policy director having worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan.

Prior to this she was the Branch Assistant Secretary for the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association (CPSU/CSA) for 10 years.

“I am very honoured to be appointed as the Chair of GESB,” Ms Gaines said. “I have spent my working life representing the interests of public sector employees in Western Australia and I am very excited to have the opportunity to support them in their retirement.

“GESB has a critical role to play in supporting a well-deserved quality retirement for people who have spent their working lives supporting the WA community.”

GESB’s CEO, Ben Palmer, welcomed Ms Gaines to the GESB Board and thanked Mr Langoulant for his service.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jo to GESB,” Mr Palmer said. “Jo has worked across all levels of government and a range of non-government organisations and we look forward to the expertise and perspectives she will bring to the governance and strategic direction of GESB.”

“On behalf of all GESB staff and our members, I would like to thank John for his outstanding stewardship of GESB over the past decade and wish him all the best in his new role representing WA in the UK and Europe.”

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